Jains Today in World

Author(s): Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 73

42 : JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD have stayed a very long time in meditation, nude and motionless, in the Jain posture called “kāyotsarga" i.e. detachment of the body. Creepers climbed along his feet, legs and arms. He stayed like this for one year, without moving until he attained omniscience (kevalajñāna). According to Digambara accounts, Bāhubali is the first "Siddha” of the present time. In India, Jains have erected huge statues in the memory of this great “Siddha” like the splendid one, 57 feet high, on Mount Indragiri at Shravana Belgola in Karnataka. Others statues of him, but less high, exist at Dharmasthala, Karkal, Yenur in the same Indian State, at Kumbhojgiri, Ter, etc. in Maharashtra. As Vilas Sangave says in his book Aspects of Jaina Religion: "these statues, visible from miles around, inspire respectful attention by their huge mass and express a great serenity”. Digambara Jains make periodical ritual ablutions of them in memory of the birth, awakening and liberation of such a revered "Siddha". A "mahāmastakābhiseka" (great ceremonial ablution of the head) of Bāhubali takes place, with great intensity of fervour, every twelve years onwards, at Shravana Belgola in Indian Karnataka state. We will see this in the chapter devoted to Jain festivals and ceremonies. In some cave-temples various paintings of Bahubali exist, as
ings of Bāhubali exist, as well as statues of him in stone or metal in Digambara temples.
Some Digambara revere also śrīmad Rājacandra who was a Sthānakavāsī but a follower of the great Digambara master Kundakunda. He lived in India, from 1867 to 1901AD, wrote books of great spirituality on Jainism, devoted the three last years of his life to meditation, penance and fasting. At his death, he was extremely emaciated. He was a friend of Mahatma Gandhi and one of those who inspired him to practice non-violence for the independence of India. He left the memory of a great soul. Photos of him are placed in some Digambara temples, together with those of other great ascetics that have practiced the Jain ritual of abandonment of life through fasting (sallekhana)